Safe medical abortion

One of the questions we receive most frequently is about the safety of medical abortion procedures: is it safe? how effective is it? what are the warning signs? what is the correct dosage?

These questions are asked by women in general as well as by health professionals, including abortion providers.

Today we are going to share with you updated information based on scientific evidence that documents the safety, efficacy, characteristics and level of risk of medical abortion procedures, when correct information and adequate clinical supplies (medications) are available.

The most widely used medication in the world to perform safe abortion procedures is misoprostol. This drug is endorsed and recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) and specialized national and international organizations, such as the International Federation of Gynecobstetrics and Obstetrics (FIGO).

It should be noted that the WHO recently issued a recommendation to all countries to include this drug in the List of Essential Medicines to be provided by their health services.

The misoprostol is also one of the medicines used in Mexico’s public health services, including the public health program of Legal Interruption of Pregnancy (ILE)The company has 13 specialized clinics in Mexico City and since abortion was decriminalized in 2007, it has taken care of women who require these procedures, placing it at the level of developed countries or above them for its high quality since no maternal deaths have been recorded, despite the fact that almost 215,000 women have been treated between April 2007 and July 2019.

This drug is available for purchase in pharmacies, in different presentations and under different trade names, and its sale is not conditioned to the presentation of a medical prescription.

Misoprostol is directly related to safe abortion, it has an 85% efficacy level when used correctly and before 12 completed weeks. When we talk about full weeks, we mean: from 12.05 weeks to 12.95 weeks.

It is important to know that this substance does not work in ectopic or extrauterine pregnancies (i.e. outside the uterus), so it is essential that, when there is no bleeding during the 24 hours after the first intake, an ectopic pregnancy is ruled out with the support of an ultrasound and a health professional.

If you require more information on the correct use of the drug, we invite you to watch the following video: Safe abortion with misoprostol